Program

US defense secretary faced backlash for attempting to mock Canada’s armed forces amid trade warA social media post by Pete Hegseth, the US secretary of defense, body-shaming female members of a Canadian youth development program remained online on Wednesday despite a furious backlash on both sides of the border.On Monday night Hegseth posted on X a photograph of two people in uniform with a Canadian flag and the caption “this is real”, an apparent attempt at mocking the country’s armed forces amid the Trump administration’s trade spat with its northern neighbor. Continue reading...

• The National League of Cities has partnered with CyberAlliance to provide local governments with an AI-powered platform for cybersecurity risk assessments and guidance. • This initiative comes as cybersecurity incidents among municipalities surged by 42% in 2025, leading state CIOs to express concern over the safety of critical public-sector data. • Local leaders have emphasized that the MS-ISAC program is critical to their operations and are actively advocating for the restoration of federal funding.

Prof Katya Rubia withdraws support for The Great ADHD Myth? as other leading figures voice criticismsA key contributor to a controversial Channel 4 documentary on attention deficit hyperactivity disorder has withdrawn her support for the programme, saying it was biased and could lead to an increased suicide risk by encouraging parents to take their children off medication.Katya Rubia, a professor of cognitive neuroscience at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience at King’s College London, also said The Great ADHD Myth? misrepresented her views. Continue reading...

• Palo Alto Networks has officially launched a new AI-driven defense program designed to enhance cybersecurity capabilities. • The initiative focuses on leveraging artificial intelligence to proactively detect and neutralize sophisticated cyber threats. • This move is significant as it reflects the growing industry trend of integrating AI to counter automated attacks and reduce response times.

• Governor Gavin Newsom announced nine new television projects to launch the second year of California’s expanded tax credit program. • The slate includes high-profile dramas and reboots, such as a new version of *The Rockford Files* starring David Boreanaz, *Ascent* with Viola Davis, and *Newlyweds* with Jamie Lee Curtis. • The initiative aims to strengthen the local economy and sustain the state's creative workforce by incentivizing productions to film within California.

• Governor Gavin Newsom announced on Monday that nine new television productions have been selected for California's film and television tax credit program. • The state's office estimates that these specific awards will generate over $600 million in production spending within the local economy. • This initiative matters as it aims to incentivize production companies to keep their projects in California rather than relocating to other states or countries.

• Governor Gavin Newsom has directed state agencies to establish a new AI Cyber Defense Program to protect California's critical infrastructure and local governments. • The initiative builds upon the state's 2023 and 2026 Executive Orders on Artificial Intelligence to strengthen cybersecurity coordination across government. • The program aims to counter increasingly fast and sophisticated cyberattacks that threaten essential public systems and family services.